The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-19
WOMAN as A MARTYR.
Regular Mondays Exercise in Lea
Female College.
ESSAY BY MISS KATIE NJ. sAMPLE-REAI
JANUARY 10, 1887.

The day of martyrdom is not yet over
as some one has said ito be born wo-
man is TO born MARTYR" Every wo-
mans life bears spirit of martyrdOm
to some cause, either good or ignoble
Many are but the sacrifcial altars where
on their msrtyred selves are made the
sacrifices. Some allow their lives to be
led astray by weak principles-uneon-
sciously martyr themselves to frivolous
causes. Again, are found the truest and
most noble of women burdening their
| lives away, assuming the martyrs posi-
| ton, all for the benefit of others. With
| 10 the bosoms of such true women is
love so great for near ores, that to sac
riice the own lives ii twill bring one
| iota of happiness to those loved ones
| would be only an item to them. Evi-
dence can be found by any who will
'pen their minds eye to prove that wo-
mans world is martyrdom. Look al
the life of fashionable society woman
Her bodily comfort and ease, even all
that ennobles woman, made a willing
sacrifice at the feet of the "MoIoch"
that burns and blasts every true and
tender sentiment that makes woman's
nature beautiful and lovable. That por-
tion of womankind which makes fashion
and fashionable living the end and aim
of existence would be horriied at being
called martyrs. The bare idea of theiI
lives being anything but purest happi-
ness would astound them. To tell fash
ions subjects that their lives are being
sacrificed in an ignoble cause would
make them open wide their eyes in as
tOnishment. To what can the opposers
OF this martyring of woman appeal?
Her intellectual capacities are buried
beneath fashions sinful laws. Her whole
being is made subject to its mandates.
10 pursue any other path in life not
governed by their supreme goddess"
would offend MADAM Grundy." Any
thing, any plan that is rational to turn
away from vice and the downward path
seems TO avail nothing when woman's
mind has the notion that worldly life
is the correct one. Is not such self
made martyr to be pittied? Surely yes,
Tor above the ashes of this human sacrI-
fee no flower of hope can bloom.
life burned out IN fashions fame can
not have the tender, sphynx-like memory
of lovely past, lie well filed with
holiness to clothe the otherwise desolate
scene in peace and hope for future Joy
All the solace for such creatures of DESC
lation is that of human pity which
would scarcely be denied. The odor of
a sacrifice is there, though it be to a bad
principle, and if as the head is bowed to
receive the death-blow the world gives
pity, how much is to be bestowed on
those who give their life's service for
the good of Others? Those who make
h1r e
of loved ones? On the martyred lives
of mothers for their children's sake
What small degree of appreciation is
given in return for such noble sacrifices
What a lack of recompense for this life
long weary working. Many sad martyr
memorials are seen in the hardened
hands and careworn brows of mothers
who give up all that lite holds pertain
ing to happiness for the sake of child.
Why is it that those who reap the bene-
fit of this martyrdom fail to appreciate
it? Because they have been allowed to
believe it a mothers duty to be the
child's slave. Often in the cold hearted
ness of the outer world, after the mother
has shaved her life out, done every thing
a mother could possibly do for child's
well-being, then when that mothers
heart has ceased its beating, any miss
doing of the child is reflected on the
parent. 1t is said, the mother failed in
the performance of her duty. A mother
who wraps her life in that of her hus-
band and children makes her days, days
of toll and nights those of sleeplessness,
that she may tighten the burdens of her
loved ones. Her feet are never weary,
for she is giving pleasure TO those near
and dear TO her. Body and soul are
barely held together under the terrible
tension of her daily duties. But at last
the silken cord snaps asunder. That
weary soul takes wing, to return to the
God who gave it. That martyred life
has closed and as the incense of the
holy sacrifice of old it wends its way up
ward. That lack of peace and rest on
earth is found in Heaven.